Good morning from West Virginia!

We are the founding collaborators of the Black Voter Impact Initiative, an organization dedicated to embracing, educating and empowering Black voters here in the Mountain State. We’re so honored to be named one of the first Groundwork Partner Organizations!

We wanted to take a moment to tell you a bit more about our organization and why your support is so impactful. First thing to know about us — besides being collaborators, we are family: an aunt (Shanequa) and a niece (India) working together to change the culture in West Virginia politics that has for too long told Black voters to just stay in their place.

We’re challenging this mentality by guiding voters – especially youth voters – into civic engagement, helping them find the power of their own voice.

We are already gearing up to build out our strategy for 2022 thanks to our incoming Groundwork grant and we’re so grateful for your support. Will you donate now so that we can have that funding in the door immediately to plan for the year ahead?

In long talks with the Groundwork team we’ve been candid about the challenges of finding the resources to build sustainable infrastructure here in West Virginia. There are a lot of people sending short-term dollars into the state right now, thanks to a certain Senator. But there aren’t a lot of people investing in progressive organizing infrastructure that will long outlast any one elected official or big vote or tough campaign. That’s what real power-building requires and it’s why Groundwork’s support is so important.

Groundwork’s grant will be 100% dedicated to our long-term planning and infrastructure building. Words can’t express how far your dollar can go here. Thank you in advance for helping us strategize and grow.

Listen, we’re eager to share more with you about the Black Voter Impact Initiative and hope to count on your support over the coming months and years. Donate now so that we can get to work immediately.

With gratitude,

Dr. Smith & India